Indian philosophy: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Vishnu with his 10 avatars

Worshipping the tree of enlightenment

Buddha preaching

Sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya seated cross-legged, holding a staff and wearing prayer beads, set in a decorated arch at his birthplace in Kalady.

Jina and the astamangalas

devotees worshipping at a stupa

See All Images →

Topics

shabdadvaita nāstika karma jiva samsara naman dravya āstika akriyāvāda skandha Western philosophy Greek philosophy Japanese philosophy Chinese philosophy Bantu philosophy Islamic philosophy Jewish philosophy Ethics metaphysics Epistemology

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Ethics: India

Key People

Ramanuja statue

Ramanuja

Hindu theologian and philosopher

Nagarjuna

Nagarjuna

Buddhist philosopher

Drawing of Sri Aurobindo with long hair, mustache, and a pointed beard, shown facing forward with a calm expression.

Sri Aurobindo

Indian philosopher and yogi

default image

Keshab Chunder Sen

Hindu philosopher and social reformer

default image

Ramana Maharshi

Hindu philosopher

default image

Madhva

Hindu philosopher

default image

Debendranath Tagore

Hindu philosopher

default image

Chinmayananda

Indian spiritual thinker

default image

Hemachandra

Jaina author

default image

Ashvaghosha

Indian philosopher and poet

default image

Vallabha

Hindu philosopher

default image

Udayanacharya

Hindu logician

default image

Bhartrihari

Hindu philosopher

default image

Kapila

Vedic sage

Nimbarka

Nimbarka

Indian philosopher

default image

Haribhadra

Indian author

default image

Dharmakīrti

Indian philosopher

default image

Madhavacharya

Hindu statesman and philosopher

default image

Varahamihira

Indian philosopher and scientist

default image

S.N. Dasgupta

Indian philosopher